Baladi News - Newspapers
As Turkey’s diplomatic efforts averted catastrophe in Syria’s Idlib, Turkish-made drones are set to play a major role in monitoring the implementation of the agreement brokered with Russia to demilitarize the flashpoint northwestern Syrian region.
According to Defense Industry Researcher Turan Oğuz, unmanned air vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones, will contribute to the peace deal in Idlib as both Turkey and Russia will be monitoring the scene from the air instantaneously in accordance with the agreement reached in Sochi.
“Both ANKA and Bayraktar drones will be vital to the process in Idlib. It will be a huge advantage to monitor the scene from the air 24/7 in a complex region with several hostile groups on the ground. Commanders will be able to receive live images from the air in real-time on their tablets as drones operate over the area.”
Oğuz stated that Turkey will be able to monitor any possible transgression against its soldiers in real-time and will be capable of punishing the assailants instantaneously.
“Our monitoring airpower will be able to gather intelligence and under circumstances where action needs to be taken, targets will be neutralized. Combat drones will be deployed if the rules of engagement between Turkey and Russia allow it.”
The Turkish and Russian leaders agreed Monday to establish a demilitarized zone in Idlib, Syria’s last opposition stronghold, during a bilateral meeting in Sochi, Russia.
Ankara and Moscow also signed a memorandum of understanding calling for the “stabilization” of Idlib's de-escalation zone, in which acts of aggression are expressly prohibited.
According to the understanding, opposition groups in Idlib will remain in areas in which they are already present, while Russia and Turkey will conduct joint patrols in the area with a view to preventing renewed fighting.
Source: Yeni Safak